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Friday, May 27, 2011

I'm a Liar

I don't know if you remember yesterday where I ended up devoting the majority of my post to how much I love to race and that I don't get nervous anymore. Well, that was yesterday when my race was more than 24 hours away. Now that reality has set in and I realize that tomorrow I will be running my 2nd marathon and first trail race ever, the nerves have kicked in a bit. I'll be honest I'm probably not quite as terrified as I should be, straight from the race people,

If you choose to drop out at any time, you must let an aid station attendant know immediately, otherwise, we will send a search and rescue party looking for you.

Keep in mind, that the course is very difficult, but aid locations and intersections are never more than 2 miles apart.

Oh yeah, Run Big!!!!! If it was easy, everyone would do it!!!

That being said, I am still really excited. My race day outfit is all picked out. It was picked and ready to go before I even registered.

I'll be one of 24 people running the marathon distance and I'm pretty sure I will be the most colorful. I may or may not wear a bright neon yellow jacket too... I figure with all that color and brightness it will be easy for the search and rescue people to find me.

I'm pretty sure that as soon as I discovered this race I knew I was going to do it. Yes, I am that dumb. When I posed the question to the general blogging community I was met with surprisingly encouraging comments that helped fuel my desire:
First up was Kovas who always has such a nice way with words:

Plus there were the naysayers, specifically my mom who said if I did it, I "would literally die" and my mother-in-law who flat out told me not to do it:

If there is one thing that fuels me to do something it is being told that I can't or shouldn't... guess it is still my immaturity shining through... maybe someday I'll grow up.

So less than a week after my original post about the Ridgeline Ramble Marathon, I signed up. I signed up, but didn't tell anyone, not even Dan. Instead I spent the next 3 weeks doing all my long runs and several weekly runs on the Ridgeline trail until I felt confident that it would be a race that I could handle. Then when Dan said, "aren't you worried that it will fill up before you register" I finally told him that I had been registered for 2 weeks. :)

I know that it is going to be a difficult race. It's a marathon, I don't remember that distance ever being considered easy and then by putting it on a trail with several decent climbs, the intensity level is upped a notch, however I'm still super excited. I know the course and have run every inch of it (in sections of course) many times. The way it is set up there are several different sections and I plan to just tackle one section at a time... it just so happens when all is said and done those sections will equal 26.2 miles on the day. I don't have any sort of time goal in mind and I know that there may be a couple sections where I may need to walk a bit, but I'm okay with that. It is a race I'm doing just for me. It is in a place I love and I'm resolute on having a great time while doing it. I don't know that I will so much be "racing" it as much as just "running" it and I'll do my best to be doing that with a smile.

20 comments:

7 years ago my family and friends told me I couldn't/wouldn't finish a 1/2 marathon (walking). I now coach race walkers, run sometimes, started doing triathlons and even finished the Goofy Challenge this year. Now the Mud Run I am doing this weekend might be a bad idea but it's always fun to prove the naysayers wrong!

I knew as soon as I said "DON'T DO IT" you would run the race, do a great job, and have the time of your life. Remember I have daughters your age and I treat them the same. I wish it worked that way with my boys. Have a fun race and enjoy the time on the trail. We will be waiting to hear and read all about it. Love you.

LOVE skirtsports baby! Rock it! You will do well--go out and impress yourself and mostly have fun! You might be scared to do it but most people couldnt actually physically do it. So flex in the mirror a little and go out and own the trail!

Wow, Laurie, that sounds so interesting! It will be a good challenge - and you'll be able to say that you did it. Even if you appear on the news as a rescued runner - hey, you participated AND got famous. Double bonus! :P JK You'll be awesome. I just know it. :)

OC&E State Trail

A little about me...

I'm a mother of five and obsessed with running. I'm married to a great guy who is willing to support and even encourage my running habits. We're happy to be be living in Eugene were there are an abundance of tracks and trails to run on. Go Ducks!